Conduit-cap for electric installation.



No. 897,683. I PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1908.

W. H. VIBBER.

UONDUIT GAP FOR ELECTRIC INSTALLATION.

APPLIOATION FILED PEB.6, 1908.

UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

WHEELER II. VIBBER, OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR'TO THE GILLETTE-VIBBER 1 CO., OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION.

CONDUIT-OAP FOR ELECTRIC INSTALLATION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 1, 1908'.

Application filed February 6, 1908. Serial No. 414,582.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WHEELER I-I. VIBBER,

' a citizen of theUnited States, residing at to be a full, clear, andexact-description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1 a view in side elevation of my improved condult cap as converted for cappinga horizontal electnc conduit. 'Fig. 2 a view thereof with the 0 thereof in rear elevation with a portion of the cover broken away. Fig. 3 a plan view ver' removed. Fig. 4 a view in vertical central section on the line a.b of Fig. 2-. Fig. 5 a plan view on a reduced scale of thefraine or body as it'appears when. stripped. Fig. partly in planandpa 'dnsection of the outer half of the insulator. Fig. 7 a view thereof in'inside elevation.

My invention relates to an im roved conduit cap forming an end-termina for electric installation, the object being. to produce a simple, compact and convenient cap constructed with particular reference to conversion for use upon either vertical or horizontal conduits or pipes and to being provided with a porcelain insulator.

With these ends in viewmy invention consists 1n the construction and comblnation of parts to be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In carrym out my invention ashereln shown, I emp 0y a frame or body comprising, i

as it may be said, a horizontal wall or bottom 2 and a vertical wall or side 3 meeting at a right angle and curved at their ends when viewed in plan. In default of a better term, the frame might be described as scoop-like. The said horizontal wall2 is formed midway of its length with a tapered circular opening 4 larger at its outer than at its inner end, while the vertical wall 3 is provided midway of its length with an o ening 5 exactly corresponding in form an diameterto the said oppning 4, the said Walls bein thickened w wall 2 and of a boss 3 upon the outer face of a detached vi W ere these openings are forme by the for-' mation of a boss 2. upon the inner face of the x the wall 3. These openings 4 and 5 which are located close together, are adapted to receive a'tap'ered plug 6 formed with a central threaded hole 7 for'the reception of a screw 8 which passes through a bridge 9 longer than the diameter of the openings and designed to bridge either one opening or the other according to the opening that is to be closed by the plug 6.

If the cap is to be'used for the pur ose of capping a vertically arranged 001M uit or pipe, the plug 6 is located in the opening 4. y shifting the plug from one opening to the other the device may be readi y for use in capping a vertical or horizontal conduit or pipe as may be required, the operation of converting the cap for one use or the other beingvery easily effected, and the cap when converted being virtually the same as though it were originally designed for one use only. ,As shown, the cap is converted for use/With a horizontal conduit or pipe. The plug 6 is therefore located in the opening 4, leaving the opening 5 free for the introduction into it of a thimble-like coupling which is introduced into it from the inside of the frame, passing thence outward. This thimble-like couplin ated ends 10 and 11 and is formed at its illner end with a flaring flange 12 larger in diameter than the inner ends of the openings 4 and 5. The said. thimble-like coupling is also provided at a point midway between its ends with an externally threaded shoulder 13 for the application of a binding nut 14 by means of which it is drawn outward and its flaring flange 12 seated against the inner edges of the walls of the said openings, the

flaring form of the flange 12 making it selfadjusting. The outer portion of the coupling is formed with internal threads 15 for the reception of the threaded end of the pipe or conduit ca ped. The exterior surface of the outer en of the coupling, beyond the threaded shoulder 13, being unthreaded, provides for the a plication of a wrench. As shown.v the con uit capped is the horizontal conduit 16. v

The horizontal wall or bottom 2 of the scoop-shaped frame or body of the device, is 105v formed atits ends with two arallel corresponding arms 17 separated y a space 18v which receives a porcelain insulator composed of two corresponding parts 19 and 20 the ends of which are formed with 'register- 1 converted Comprises two diflerentiing grooves 21 which receive the arms 17. The inner .n'iember 19 is formed with a longitudinal groove 22 receiving, as shown, the upturned edge of the wall 2 while the outer member- 20 is formed with a corresponding longitudinal groove 23 which makes the insulator reversible edge for edge, "fitting into place as well when presented one way as the other. The members 19 and. 20 are formed in their inner edges with. semicircular transverse grooves 24, 25 and 26 which, when brought into registration, form round holes for the passage ol' the wires or cables into the interior chamber 27 of the cap. For the purpose of closing in any of these holes that may not be in use, the said grooves 24, and 26 are formed. wvith secondary sealaeceiving grooves 28 for the reception'ol" small disklike seals which may be of any approved material, and ii desired, cemented. in place. Of course the number of holes in any insulator may be varied according to circumstances. By making the insulator in two parts I avoid the necessity of drawing the wires or cables through it which. is inconvenient, time-consuming and objectionable. In the use 01 my device, the outer part oi. the insulator is removed and the wires or cables adjusted with respect to the inner part after which the outer part is restored to place.

The chamber 27 is inclosed by a dome-like cover 29 held in place by screws 3i) entering the opposite ends oi. the vertical wall 3 the upper corners of which are cut away, the cover being lormed with. a large open slot 3]. which his over the boss 3 upon the outer face of the vertical wall 3.

To permit the escape of any moisture that may work into the joint 32 a between the edge of the boss 3 and the wall of the slot 31, I forni two vertical grooves 32 in the wall 3.

I claim 1. In a convertible cap forming an cndte1= minal for electric conduits, the combination 'ith a body having avertical and a horizontal wall merging into each other at a right angle, and each formed with an opening, the said openings being located close together; of a plug adapted to be introduced into one opening or the other according as it is desired to use the device for capping a horizontal. or vertical conduit.

2. in a convertible cap for electric conduits, the combination with body having a vertical and a horizontal wall, each formed with a tapered opening, of a tapered plug adapted to fit into either one of the said o penings and. formed with a central threaded hole, and a bridge and. a screw lor drz'rwing the plug into place in one of the said openings and holding it therein, the plug being located in either one opening or the other according as the cap is to be used for capping a vertical or horizontal conduit. 1

3. in a cap for electric conduit? the rombi- I their inner laces uiti nation with a body formed with an opening, of a thiinblc-like coupling having its inner end flared to form a sell-adjusting flange coacting with the inner edge of the all of the said opening, and the said thimble having its outer end threaded and formed between its ends with an externally threaded shoulder; and a nut applicable to the said shoulder l'or drawing the thimble into place in the openmg.

4. In a convertible cap for electric conduits, the combination with a body having a horizontal and a vertical wall each formed with an. opening, of a plug for closing one opening like the other, and a thimble or coupling for introduction into the opening not occupied by the plug.

5. In a cap forming an end-terminal for electric conduits, the combination with a body provided at its ends with arms separated by a space, of a cover fitting over the said body to form a chamber, and an insulator located in the said space and having its ends grooved for engagement with the said arms and its sides grooved for engagement with the edge ol. the portion of the body l \'ing between the said arms.

(S. in a cap for electric conduits, the Combination with a body provided at its ends with arms separated b a space, of a cover '[itting over the said body to form a chamber, and an insulator located in the said space and having its ends grooved for engagement with the said arms, whereby the insulator is sup ported.

7. In a convertible cap forming an end-terminal for electric conduits, the combinatirm with a body having a vertical and a horizontal wall merging into each other at a right angle and. each formed with an opening, and the said openings being located close together; of a plug adapted to be introduced into one opening or the other according as it is desired to use the device for capping a horizontal or a vertical conduit, a cover fitting over the said. body to form a chamber, and a twopart insulator mounted in the lower wall of the said body and located at the entrance into the said. chamber.

8. An insulator for electric conduits, made in 'tWO P rts each formed with transverse grooves which, when reg' cred, form holes for the passage of electric Wit and thesaid grooves being formed with secondary seal-re eeiving grooves, in combination with disklike seals entered into the said. secondary grooves for closing the said holes when the same are not required for use and with means for holding the said two parts of the insulator together.

9. A twrepart in ulator having its respective parts l'oi med at their ends ind sidcs with grooves by :m-ans ol' which it issupportcd in place, and :lln. said being l'ormcd upon.

- the insulator together.

which register to form holes for electric wires,

and the said grooves being. formed with secondary seal-receiving groovesyzin combination with disk-like seals entered into the said secondary grooves for closing the said holes when the same are not required for use and with means for holding the said two parts of 10a In a convertible cap for cap ing electric conduits, the combination wit a body having a vertical and a horizontal wall each formed with an opening and the vertical wall. being formed upon its outer face with a boss in which the opening in the vertical wall is formed; ofa' lug adapted to be located in one of the said openings, an insulator carried by the said body, and a cover fitting over the said body and formed with a slot to fit over the said boss.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WHEELER H. VIBBER. Witnesses:

FREDERIC C. EARLE, CLARA L. WEED. 

